THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS

By Milburn Cockrell

            “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us” (Acts 7:38).

            In this message I want to compare Israel with the New Testament church. It is almost with reluctance I do this, for there are some who make Israel take the place of the church. I do not believe the church took the place of Israel, nor that all Israelites are now reprobated by God. I do not believe that the Israelites were too hard for an omnipotent God to handle, and so God turned to the tender-hearted Gentiles. Such reasoning is both foolish and absurd.

            There are a number of clear distinctions between Israel and the church (I Cor. 10:32). I want to point out some of these. First, Israel was one nation; the churches have in them people from many nations. Second, Israel as a nation could inflict the death penalty. The church has no such power. Third, the officers of Israel were civil as well as religious. The church is separate from the state (Matt. 22:21). Fourth, Israel was instructed to kill their enemies (Deut. 7:1-2), but the church is to love and bless her enemies (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:19-21). Fifth, in Israel only the men were priests unto God. In the church, men, women, and children are all priests unto God. Sixth, Israel was the unfaithful wife of Jehovah (Isa. 54:5; Hos. 2). The New Testament church is the virgin bride of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 11:2). Seventh, the worshippers in Israel could only bring their offering to the door of the tabernacle or temple (Lev. 17:8-9; Num. 3:10; Luke 1:10). The members of New Testament churches can “enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19-20). Eighth, Israel was the house of Moses, while the New Testament church is the house of Christ (Heb. 3:1-6).

            While there are distinctions between Israel and the church, there are many ways they were alike. In this message I want to show how Israel was a type of the gospel church.

ITS ORIGIN

            The Israelites were in Egypt and slaves to Pharaoh (Ex. 1). The members of the church are in the world. Jesus Christ said of them: “But these are in the world” (John 17:11). This is why Christ also said: “I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). The members of the church were at one time slaves of Satan (II Tim. 2:26), but by grace they have been taken “from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18), and now they stand in the liberty of Christ (I Cor. 7:22; Gal. 5:1).

            Both Israel and the church are the objects of God’s sovereign election. Israel was chosen of God: “The LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deut. 7:6). He separated Israel from all other nations: “. . .that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (Ex. 11:7). The members of the church are also objects of God’s elective purpose: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. . .” (Eph. 1:4). The church is to be a separate people. Paul told the church at Corinth: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. . .” (II Cor. 6:17).

            The nation of Israel was redeemed by the blood of the Passover lamb (Ex. 12). The members of the New Testament church are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

            The nation of Israel was of God’s making. Jehovah told Abraham: “I will make of thee a great nation” (Gen. 12:2). The church is “an holy nation” (I Pet. 2:9) of divine making. Paul told the Corinthian church: “Ye are God’s building” (I Cor. 3:9). In order to establish the nation of Israel God used a divinely appointed person, Moses (Ex. 18:13-26; Heb. 3:2-3, 5). In order to establish the church God used a divinely appointed person, Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1-6). This is why Jesus said: “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18).

ITS NATURE

            The nation of Israel was real and visible. In my text Stephen speaks of the gathering of Israel before Mount Sinai for the purpose of receiving the law from God. The Greek word (ekklesia) translated “church” has the common meaning of “assembly” or “congregation.” This is the same Greek word in the Septuagint version which is translated the “congregation” of Israel (I Chron. 13:2). The basic idea is that Israel was a congregation with rituals and laws.

            The Greek word ekklesia is the word translated over 100 times in our New Testament “church.” As the congregation of Israel was a real gathering of people with rituals and laws, even so the New Testament church is a real gathering of people with rituals and laws. Since the Holy Spirit used the same word (ekklesia) to describe both the congregation of Israel and the church, then they both must be visible assemblies. Both have rituals and laws, although those of the church differ from those of Israel.

ITS POSITION

            For some 40 years Israel was in the wilderness. This is why she was called “the church in the wilderness” in my text. Moses said that Israel traveled in  “great and terrible wilderness” (Deut. 1:19). A wilderness is a waste, wild, and barren place. Even after they reached Canaan, they still lived in a world that Satan made “ a wilderness” (Isa. 14:17).

            The New Testament church is in the wilderness of this world, but she is not a part of it. Jesus said: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19). “. . .the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).

            The wilderness was unknown to the Israelites, and they needed a guide to direct them toward Canaan. To remedy this situation the Lord gave them the pillar of cloud and fire: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (Ex. 13:21-22). The church is in a world barren of grace and holiness. In this wilderness the church might lose her way. To remedy this, the Lord has given her a Guide, the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit is to abide with her “for ever” (John 14:16).

            Israel had to remain in the wilderness until God brought her into Canaan. The church must remain in the wilderness of this world until the Bridegroom returns and takes her up to Heaven (John 14:1-3). Well did Solomon ask of the church: “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” (S. of S. 8:5).

ITS PRIVILEGES

            First, the nation of Israel had the divine presence: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isa. 43:2). The Angel of the Lord (Jehovah-Jesus) was with them (text).

            Even so, the New Testament church has the divine presence. Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). To the church He again said: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

            Second, the people of the old covenant had a divinely qualified teacher. On Mount Sinai Moses had a divine Teacher: God (Ex. 19:3-6; 20-21). What God taught Moses he was to communicate unto the Israelites: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them. . .” (Num. 15:1-2).

            The church has many divine teachers. Her first and greatest was Jesus Christ Himself, the Head and Founder of the church. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. . .” (Heb. 1:1-2). After our Lord ascended up to Heaven he sent the Holy Spirit to continue this teaching ministry: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. . . (John 16:13; cf. I John 2:20, 27). In addition to the Holy Spirit Christ has given evangelists (missionaries) and pastor-teachers (Eph. 4:11). While these are not divine teachers, they are divinely called men (Acts 26:16).

            Third, Israel had the divine oracles. In my text these are called “the lively oracles.” Moses asked: “And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Deut. 4:8). The Israelites had a code and revelation from God about what He wanted men and women to know about Himself and what He expected of them. They were the custodians of the communication of Heaven. Psalm 147:19-20 says: “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them.”

            The New Testament churches are the custodians of the communication of Heaven. To the church Jesus said: “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them. . .” (John 17:8). “I have given them thy word” (John 17:14). These churches have “the oracles of God” (Heb. 5:12). This is why Peter said: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. . .” (I Pet. 4:11). The saints in New Testament churches have the true system of faith which was once for all time delivered (Jude 3; Eph. 4:5). This is why Paul told Timothy about “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). The church is the only institution on earth with a divine commission to preach the gospel and to teach all things which Christ commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). The church is even a lesson book to the angels: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:10).

            Fourth, the divine ordinances were entrusted to the nation of Israel during the old dispensation. After instituting the Passover Supper, the Lord told them: “And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever” (Ex. 12:24). II Chronicles 33:8 mentions how they received “the ordinances by the hand of Moses” (cf. Neh. 10:32). Ezekiel 12:20 tells how they were to keep these ordinances.

            In this dispensation the church has the ordinances. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are church ordinances to be observed until Jesus returns. Just as the Israelites were “all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (I Cor. 10:2), all the members of the church are baptized in water unto Jesus Christ. In I Corinthians 12:13 it is written: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. . .” “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27).

ITS BUSINESS

            First, the Israelites were the witnesses for Jehovah in the Old dispensation: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen. . . .therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God” (Isa. 43:10, 12). In the New Testament dispensation the churches are the Lord’s witnesses. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:47-48). “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Peter and John, two members of the Jerusalem church, and speaking of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, said: “And we are witnesses of these things” (Acts 5:32).

            Second, the Israelites had to over come many adversaries on the way to Canaan. The Lord promised them: “But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries” (Ex. 23:22). Like Israel of old, the churches have “many adversaries” (I Cor. 16:9; cf. 6:10-17). To the Phillippian church Paul said: “And in nothing (be) terrified by our adversaries. . .” (Phil. 1:28). On the way to Heaven a member of the church must fight “The good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12) and “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Tim. 2:3).

ITS IMPERFECTION AND ITS DISCIPLINE

          Israel was imperfect in its obedience to God. They were guilty of many sins---disobedient to their leaders, hankering after Egypt, immoralities, and apostasy from Jehovah. For these many imperfections they were chastened by God. In doing this He had kept His promise. In Leviticus 26:27-28 He warned: “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.” This chastisement resulted in the seventy years of Babylonian Captivity. “And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it. . . .And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land” (II Kings 24:10, 14).

            The members of the New Testament church are imperfect and guilty of many sins---disobedience to its leaders, hankering after the world, immoralities, and apostasy from God and His truth. For all of these things the churches are “chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (I Cor. 11:32). Today churches are departing, more and more, from the faith (I Tim. 4:1; II Tim. 4:3). Most Baptist churches in this generation are in a state of apostasy. They have traded faith for finance, fun, and foolishness! More and more, they are becoming like ecclesiastical and commercial Babylon (Rev. 18:4).

ITS GOALS

            Israel journeyed through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. Moses told Hobab: “We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel” (Num. 10:29). Many of these strangers and pilgrims of Israel eventually reached the land of Canaan.

            The members of the church on earth are “strangers and pilgrims” (I Pet. 2:11). Our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20 and our treasures are there (Matt. 6:20). Heaven is the place of our inheritance (I Pet. 1:3-4). “We look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). When He comes again He will take us to the Father’s house in Heaven (John 14:1-3).

CONCLUSION

            1. In the Old Testament the people in covenant relation to God were Israelites. “At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31:1). In the New Testament the people in covenant relation with God are the church. Listen to the words of God applied by Paul to the Corinthian church: “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Cor. 6:18).

            2. Is the church better than Israel? Some with great haste would answer in the affirmative, but I would answer in the negative. In Romans 11 Paul compares Israel to an olive tree. Then he tells how the Gentiles were grafted into this olive tree. He then says: “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee” (Rom. 11:21).

            3. The New Testament church is the greatest institution on earth. Have you been baptized into the Lord’s body? unto Jesus Christ? Or, could it be you know not Christ as your Savior? If you have not trusted Him, I urge you to do so.